DC Collectables

Ra’s al Ghul was a character I was never familiar with until I saw Batman Begins where Liam Neeson starred as the mysterious Henri Ducard, later revealing himself to be Ra’s al Ghul. The role was well acted and really helped make the film an incredible starting point for Christopher Nolan as he set out on his venture to produce a series of Batman films. Aside from the fact that they said he was the leader of the “League of Shadows” (he is in actual fact the leader of the League of Assassins) and also the fact that they pronounced his name wrong for the entire film.

Up until this point, Ra’s al Ghul’s name was always pronounced “Rey-Shh” where as Nolan commanded his army to pronounce it “Raz”, thus setting off a generation of people who said it wrong and then said the old way sounded weird. In fact it only takes a Google search to see many different blog posts and forum posts with arguments on which is the correct pronunciation. You’ll always find several members claiming they speak such and such and how ludicrous it is to pronounce it a certain way. It’s actually quite entertaining really. I will say this though, it doesn’t matter how accurately it’s pronounced based upon any language, the fact is that Batman: The Animated Series, DC Universe Online, Batman Arkham City to name a few all pronounce it “Rey-Shh”. Therefore spelling/punctuation doesn’t matter because it wasn’t intended to be said any other way.

Anyway, I digress. This review is about the Ra’s al Ghul Batman Arkham City series 3 action figure and not who knows how to pronounce his name.

This action figure was only just released about 3-4 weeks ago and the second I saw the prototype images many months back, I knew I had to have this. Especially because Ra’s is one of my favourite characters.

This figure is average height. Slightly shorter than the Deluxe Mr. Freeze and about the same size as Batman. Quite accurate in the scale sense.

His head sculpt is based on the regenerated version of Ra’s after he steps out of the Lazarus Pit just before you fight him. You can tell because of his youthful complexion and glowing green eyes and tattoos.

Ra’s comes wearing the gear he throughout Arkham City, however he doesn’t come with the cape which he wears when you first lay eyes on him half way through the game. It’s a bit of a shame he doesn’t, because a lot of other Ra’s al Ghul incarnations do. He also looked cool as hell with a cape in game.

The shoulder pads as seen on my pictures are a solid plastic but they are attached to his torso via a hinge rather than directly sculpted to the shoulder piece. This allows you to move Ra’s al Ghul’s arms around while maintaining the armor’s credibility. It’s a really cool feature as it means you can position his arms extended in front of him or behind him and the shoulder piece stays in the same place rather than the shoulder piece rolling out of position with the armor as you move his arms.

As you may know by now from reading my other reviews, I bought two for my collection. The one I opened had a sloppy paint job on the head and is noticeably inferior to the Ra’s al Ghul in it’s packaging. This will have just been a single figure error, though and is only noticeably bad when you look close up at it. As I write this and look up at it sitting on my shelf, you can’t even tell there’s anything wrong with.

Ra’s also comes with the sword he wields throughout the game. It’s a long, well built piece that doesn’t seem as fragile as it should be. It has symbol carvings engraved on the blade. Overall length of the sword I’d say is about 3″ which is good and quite accurate as the sword is a vital prop from the Arkham City storyline.

Aside from the lack of a cape, this figure is absolutely perfect. To be honest, though, had they produced a cape, the figure would have either cos more to buy or had details stripped from it elsewhere, which I wouldn’t be in favour of so it’s no biggy. Overall, this is probably my favourite regular series Batman Arkham action figure and I’m very pleased to have it in my collection.

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I really liked the character from then on and have never been able to look at any other incarnation of the Mad Hatter from any Alice in Wonderland story without thinking of Jervis Tetch.

So about this time last year, I’d just finished something with Mr. Freeze in Arkham City on the Playstation 3 and I go outside the GCPD Building where I begin a cut-scene with Vicky Vale. The next thing I see is a man in a patchwork jacket and top hat watching us converse. Holy fuck, it’s the Mad Hatter! This is the first time I’ve seen any rendition of him and possibly the first time anyone has recreated him in a realistic setting.

So I did the part of Arkham City where you fight him and wow it was amazing. I especially love after you beat him and talk to him and he cries “MY HAT!”. Seriously love it. I also love the amazing silhouette shot of him at the dining table before you fight him. Very artistic and familiar.

So when I saw they were doing an action figure, I was quite thrilled to get my hands on it. Of course, it’s a very small and basic figure but it’s still very detailed and a great piece in my collection.

The figure is the shortest one in the collection. Less than half the size of Killer Croc and about half the size of Poison Ivy. It comes with his patchwork long jacket and all the detailing you saw in the video game.

He comes with a removable top hat. This kind of disappointed me as the top hat doesn’t have the 6/10 detailing on card in his hat.

The only other flaw I have with this figure is that the jacket on mine is a bit too heavy and as a result the figure doesn’t stand up straight, even when it’s attached the Base. It always leans back.

wasn’t a main character in the game and was more a nod to fan boys like myself so I can’t imagine him being a popular or must-have figure but if you’re a completion-ist like I am, you’ll need the figure in your collection!

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But I digress. That’s another article for another time. Batman is my favourite Super Hero. Many incarnations of Batman have been had over the years. From Adam West, to Michael Keaton, to Christian Bale. Many people have their own personal favourite Batman but for me there is only 1 Batman and whenever an actor other than this man plays Batman, in my opinion they are playing this incarnation. I am, of course, referring to Kevin Conroy’s Batman.

Kevin Conroy is Batman as far as I’m concerned. He is Bruce Wayne and he goes to the recording booth to be Batman. Everybody else is playing Kevin Conroy. I have felt this way since I first saw Batman: The Animated Series. My favourite animation of all time and one of my favourite shows. You can’t imagine how delighted I was when Conroy was announced as the voice of Batman alongside his “BTAS” co-actor, Mark Hamill, for the now-hit game Batman Arkham Asylum.

The game, as I’m sure you’re aware of if you’ve played it yourself or at least read my other Batman Arkham action figures reviews is awesome. My second and third favourite games of all time are Batman Arkham Asylum and Batman Arkham City. When I found out about the DC Collectables (formerly DC Direct) action figures based on the characters as they appear in these games, I just knew I had to collect them. Batman was one of my first purchases (along side Scarecrow)

The figure features Batman in his grey and navy blue ensemble although depending on the lighting conditions, the navy parts look black. I actually didn’t realise they were navy until I uploaded the photos from my cam. He also comes with a molded on utility belt and a solid, rubber cape which has a bit but not much flex in it.

The head, in my opinion, lets this figure down. There’s just something about it that I can’t quite put my finger on but it looks well off and ruins it. It does look incredible from the side as one of my pictures shows.

Also included is a Batarang. I absolutely shit a brick when I first touched the batarang because when I put it in Batman‘s hands, the thing “broke in half” or so it seemed. Actually, it had a ball joint in it and can be folded down, so it didn’t break it merely split apart. Easily repairable and a wise decision by DC Direct to make it this way.

Overall this is one excellent action figure and the best Batman figure I’ve owned. Mind, I’ve only owned the Kenner Batman action figures prior to this one, so it doesn’t have much competition.

CLICK HERE TO BUY BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM SERIES 1 BATMAN ACTION FIGURE

This Harley Quinn action figure is based on her appearance in the hit video game, Batman: Arkham Asylum where she was featured heavily as the associate and apparent girlfriend of The Joker. She is wearing a sexy nurse outfit designed to tease rather than bring professionalism to a medical environment.

The highly detailed ensemble features fabric fishnet stockings to add even more authenticity to this incredibly detailed figure.

Harley Quinn comes with a walking cane and an injection gun, as featured in the Arkham Asylum video game. Oh and no, I haven’t checked under her rubber skirt…

The figure is fantastic and really captures Harley Quinn well based on her look in Arkham Asylum. Whilst I personally would have preferred her to look like she does on Batman The Animated Series, I can’t really complain as it makes sense for the role she had in the game.

A must have for owners of The Joker action figure also from Series 1 of the Batman Arkham Asylum action figures by DC Direct (now known as DC Collectables).

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Zsasz, to some people, won’t be on their top wants list of Arkham action figures, but he was a pretty noteworthy character so he was high up on my list. He is posed in the classic “knife wielding thug” pose as defined in the Arkham Asylum game. Which I thought was a nice touch as you actually get to fight Zsasz in one of the combat challenge maps.

He comes with 2 large knifes, both detachable from his hands. I posed the knives this way to match the product prototype image but you could have both knives facing the other or same way if you liked.

Zsasz is wearing orange inmate clothing featuring arm restaints that have chains and padlocks attached to them. Nice little details especially as the chains are authentic chains which sway, move and rattle.

The detail is taken one step further with both the tattoos and tally scars on his body. Unbelievable care was taken when producing this figure.

You may not know or love Victor Zsasz, but this figure is a credit to the character in the Arkham games. It’s a definite must own to the Arkham game collectors out there, but probably passable to a lot of casual fans.

CLICK HERE TO BUY THIS ACTION FIGURE

You can imagine the delight I experienced when Mark Hamill was cast as The Joker in the Arkham Asylum video game which is in my opinion his greatest performance as The Joker. Yeah, he was good in Arkham City, too. Arkham City was better overall than Arkham Asylum, but The Joker character and storyline was much better, in my opinion. If you want the definitive Batman vs. Joker storyline that isn’t printed on the pages of a comic book, then you’d better dust off your joypad and play Arkham Asylum.

So how does the figure compare? Well, I can’t give a complete review of this action figure because as of right now I only have The Joker Mint on Card. I was lucky to get it at such a low price, as well. Perhaps when I’m rich, I’ll buy a second one to open (and 2x Arkham Asylum Series 2 Bane’s while I’m at it) but from what I can see, it looks epic.

The inclusion of Scarface (the wooden puppet) was great. At first I questioned why Scarface was included but then I realised that he’s sitting holding Scarface before and during your second last fight in Arkham Asylum. A nice inclusion and it looks like it’s got good pose-ability, too.

The chain is an authentic chain, too. It’s not sculpted on but rather an actual chain sculpted into the action figure. It sways when you move it. A nice little attention to detail

The head is OK, but I personally think something looks off. I think Play Arts Kai Joker head looks a lot better.

Overall it’s a great figure and it doesn’t surprise me that it goes for a much higher price than it’s RRP, now that it’s discontinued and no more are being made.

When I got Batman: Arkham Asylum, Scarecrow and his 3 levels blew my mind. The character in Arkham Asylum was so well done. I especially loved the part of the game where you’re walking down that corridor and the corridor becomes Crime Alley. It was (and still is) just brilliant.

Naturally, when I saw the Scarecrow Arkham Asylum action figure by the company now known as DC Collectables, it didn’t even require a second thought before deciding whether or not to purchase it. In fact, I dare say that this action figure is the reason for my collection.

I just love it. I think the head is incredible as you will see from my photos and the little details such as the burlap sack he’s carrying and the needles on his fingers are just brilliant.

The only downside to the figure, really, based on the one I have loose, out of it’s original packaging, is that I found it difficult to pose based on the prototype image of the figure. Whenever I put it into the correct position, it would just fall over. So I pose it how it is shown in my pictures. The figure is perfect, otherwise and one of my favourites.

]]> http://www.aps-review.com/reviews/action-figure-review/scarecrow-batman-arkham-asylum-series-1-action-figure/feed 0 http://www.aps-review.com/reviews/toys/lego-dc-universe-super-heroes-6857-the-dynamic-duo-funhouse-escape-review http://www.aps-review.com/reviews/toys/lego-dc-universe-super-heroes-6857-the-dynamic-duo-funhouse-escape-review#comments Sun, 09 Sep 2012 00:17:31 +0000 admin http://www.aps-review.com/?p=610 Believe me or don’t, at the age of 24, this set of Lego is the first set that I’ve ever bought in my entire life and yes, I am including any set that was ever bought for me. Truth be told, nobody ever bought me Lego. I didn’t need any. I had a massive box that was my mothers from when she was a child and that was all I needed.

I never really thought much of Lego. I’ve always preferred accurate looking, detailed models and always felt Lego looked shit so I avoided having anything to do with it. So when I started working for a toy shop, I began to take an interest in it, just for the fact it’s a nice section to keep clean and make look good. Things evolved further when I noticed how rare and valuable some pieces are. Combined with my recently rediscovered passion for super heroes, I decided it’s time to start a collection and so I did by buying this set!

Baring in mind I have no other Lego sets to compare it to, I found it easy to assemble and also quite relaxing and enjoyable to do. Overall, the thing is underwhelming to me, again because deep down I still haven’t truly accepted the beauty of Lego and still crave the immense details. Another reason it’s underwhelming is the size of it. It looks much bigger than it is on the box, but this is my own fault for not realising how small the Lego minifigures actually are.

With that being said, the minifigures are really good. I’ve recently just completed Lego Batman 2 and it was quite weird holding the accurate character models in plastic form. The detail on them is immense and certainly better than the old crappy minifigures you got all them many moons ago in the old Lego sets. The “hats” which represent hair, cowels and various other objects make each minifigure unique. Got to love Joker’s hair and Batman’s cowel! I also love how some of the figures have two faces (no, not Harvey Dent!) printed on both sides so you can hide one expression behind the hat piece. It’s quite a good and clever idea! One final thing about the minifigures is the capes on Batman and Robin. They are awesome.

The set is pretty cool albeit a little underwhelming. It has a trap door which you can send the minifigures crasing through. It also has a rope which you can attach a minifigure to and lower using a wheel into a purple barrel containing what I assume is Kryptonite oh and also a fish. If it isn’t Kryptonite, then it’s radioactive material and the fish is a homage to that episode of Batman: The Animated Series where Joker creates “Joker Fish”. You’ll know what I mean if you’ve seen it! There’s also a giant hammer which swings down and knocks a minifigure onto a cart, which then slides down a track and bursts through double doors. The track is pretty cool, I must admit!

For some reason, underneath it all, there’s a random glass window and inside the glass window is the Riddler’s head and bowler hat. Why? I do not know.

Overall, if you love Lego you’ll probably like this set. It does resemble Joker’s fun house so I can’t really fault it’s accuracy. The minifigures are really cool but personally, for me, the track and train is cool!

I’ve always wanted to see this film since I saw the trailers airing on TV in late 2011. I never got round to watching it. Today I finally got around to seeing it and this is my In Time Review.

In Time (2011) is an Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller starring former N-Sync member, Justin Timberlake as Will Salas. Will Salas lives in a World in the not too distant future where human’s have been genetically engineered to remain young forever. Every woman’s dream, one assumed(?). When you turn 25, your body stops aging. The catch is that you are granted a year on a biological clock which is represented by a green, glowing display on your forearm.

Once this year runs out, your body dies. This doesn’t mean that everybody dies by their 26th birthday, though, as your time is now used as currency. You can earn seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and even years by working, trading or illegally.

After Will Salas (Justin Timberlake) is given the gift of 100 years for saving a man’s life, it isn’t long before the Timekeepers (police task force in charge of ensuring criminal acts do not occur with regards to the time currency) and the local criminals are after him. He flee’s his rundown, crime ridden sector and ventures into the richer district.

I personally loved this film. It lived up to the hype I’d built around it (because I seemed to be one of the only few who’d even heard of it). The concept is just brilliant. It really gets you thinking about how your life would be in a world where there was no currency. Only time. Effectively your time alive is your life. Run out of time, your life is over. I can’t help but feel if scientists were able to genetically modify humans to adopt this method of living, life would end up being exactly like it is in this film.

I had no issues with the acting. Justin Timberlake didn’t stand out as an ex-boyband member and I thought Cilian Murphy (who played a Timekeeper. The main Timekeeper tracking down Will Salas) did a great job, as well.

Some of the sets used in the film were incredible. I particularly liked the shot of the extravagant hotel in New Greenwich with the mirror-like floor and glass walls. Really made me wish I had a large deposit of time to buy such beautiful architecture.

Didn’t really have anything bad to say about the film. The lack of major plot twists, that made me sit there and say “Woah… seriously can’t believe that just happened!” anchored the story a little bit, but other than that, it’s a good, enjoyable film especially if you are a fan of Sci-Fi, Action, Thrillers.

In Time Review – Movie – 2011
Rating ★★★★★★★★½☆  8.5/10

Killer Croc had been overhauled. He now stood at like 10′ in the air, scaly skin, an intimidating voice and some of the sickest teeth you’ll ever see on a humanoid (granted you don’t go out to Bingo on a Tuesday morning, here in England). The only thing stopping this ruthless powerhouse from ripping the shit out of everything in it’s path is an electric collar. I fell in love with Croc instantly and couldn’t wait to see if I got to fight him later on in the game.

If you’ve played Arkham Asylum, you’ll know how terrifying that part of the game is. Especially on your first play-through. Unfortunately there isn’t an actual fight with him (but lets face it, Batman more than likely would get eaten alive by the sick fuck) but he’s still cool as hell and became one of my favourite characters in the film.

When I saw that DC Collectables was making Arkham figures, I was like “Hey they’re cool. I might get some, some day” even though it was clear I wasn’t going to start saving, immediately for them. Then one evening, I was browsing the Internet and came across Toy Fair pictures and saw the most incredible thing. It was Killer Croc from Arkham City in action figure form. I couldn’t believe it. I just had to own him.

The detail on this figure is unreal. Considering it’s an action figure, rather than a statue and considering it isn’t a Hot Toys product, the attention to detail and effort put into making this Croc figure are absolutely overwhelming.

First of all, the figure is absolutely massive. I think he’s about the same height as an Action Man (although it’s been years since I’ve seen one of those) but the best thing is, he’s to scale with all the other DC Collectables Arkham figures. He quite literally towers Batman, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, Joker. Just like he should do. It weighs a ton, too. I underestimated how heavy the case was containing four Killer Crocs.  It’s a really thick, solid well built figure that doesn’t seem like it’ll break easily (not that you’d want to play with it, much! It’s far too detailed to give to a wreckless child to play with)

The details, like I previously said are incredible. Killer Croc comes with a removable shock collar which you throw Batarangs at in Arkham Asylum to disable him. It also comes with two giant wrist bands. Hanging from the wrist bands and collar are authentic metal chains that ominously rattle whenever the figure is moved.

Another thing that I found out by owning the Croc is that his mouth opens. His mouth opens and it looks creepy.

I own over 300 un-opened Wrestling figures. I have been collecting action figures since I was about 4 year old and I can sit here and safely say that the Killer Croc Arkham City Deluxe Action figure by DC Collectables is the greatest action figure I’ve ever owned in my entire life (so far…)

The only thing bad about Killer Croc is that it was released at the same time as Mr Freeze. Had Mr Freeze been released earlier, Killer Croc wouldn’t have over-shadowed (literally! the thing is freaking huge!) him so much.

Do not delay in buying this figure because I assume it’ll end up being much like the Arkham Asylum Series 2 Bane figure; highly sought after and very, very rare/expensive.

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